It is 5am, I am in Helsinki, and a little jet-lagged from 36+ hours of travel from Toowoomba, Australia. Finland embraced daylight saving last weekend and the sun will rise at 6:45am. I am in a hotel next to the Helsinki Central Train Station and opposite the main shopping area and CBD. At this time on a Tuesday morning the streets are remarkably quiet. A stray taxi, or a single car passes. The trams have started, but the city is sleepy. Arriving at this time of the year I have missed the cold winter. There is no snow, it is 4 C and heading for 11 here today. Coming into Helsinki via train from the airport I observed dusty cars, dusty buildings, and many trees still devoid of foliage, waiting for the fingers of Spring to massage them into life.

Cosmic sabbatical? Ok, you know how I like adjectives (and verbs!). This is the word I have chosen. This is what it will be. Today, April 1, 2025 (no this is not a joke) is officially Day 1 of my 6-month sabbatical (or APDP – Academic Professional Development Program as we call it at the University of Southern Queensland). I will be in Europe for 4 months visiting 8 countries.

Cosmic: “characterised by greatness especially in extent, intensity, or comprehensiveness”

Today I catch another train and head north to Jyväskylä. A city of about 150,000, it is the regional capital of central Finland. I am based there for 11 weeks as a visiting scholar at the University of Jyväskylä. This Wikipedia page shares essential insights into the ‘Athens’ of Finland.

I invite you to follow my ‘Cosmic Sabbatical’ through conversations shared on this blog.

……but now it’s time for breakfast and to start Day 1…..